Get Hands-On in the Gardens

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In 2023, on Thursdays at County Farm Park and select Wednesdays at Sharon Mills County Park, Get Hands-on in the Garden!

  • Learning and Teaching by Gardening (4/13/2023 - 9/28/2023)
  • Big Mulching Days
    • Wed 5/3 at Sharon Mills County Park 
    • Thu 5/11 at County Farm Park
  • Big Planting Days 
    • Wed 5/17 at Sharon Mills County Park 
    • Thu 5/25 at County Farm Park 

See below for further details. All events led by Mary Robinson, Seasonal Horticulturist. 

  • Snacks, water, and gloves provided (bring a water bottle). 
  • Please dress to work and be comfortable outside and feel free to bring your favorite gardening gear.

For more information or registration, contact:

Matthew Bertrand
Volunteer Coordinator
734-971-6337 x323
[email protected]

ABOUT THE PROJECTS

LEARNING AND TEACHING BY GARDENING
Thursdays at County Farm Park, 4/13 to 9/28, 9:30am to 11:30am
All green thumbs begin as brown thumbs who keep at it! Join Washtenaw Parks staff, MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, and other learners (with thumbs of every color) to Get Hands-on in the Gardens. Level-up your gardening skills in the best way possible: by actively gardening as part of a community of gardeners sharing their skills (and sometimes free flower divisions!). 

BIG MULCHING DAYS
5/3 at Sharon Mills, 9am to noon
5/11 at County Farm Park, 9am to noon
Spring is for mulching! Join Washtenaw Parks staff, MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, and a caring community of volunteers for a morning spent outdoors in nature mulching the garden beds at Sharon Mills County Park to prepare for planting. Get a decent workout, learn valuable tips and tricks for ergonomic gardening that will pay off for a lifetime, and learn about the vital role of mulching in the landscape. 

RAIN DATE: the next week, same day of the week, same time.

BIG PLANTING DAYS
5/17 at Sharon Mills, 9am to noon
5/25 at County Farm Park, 9am to noon
Spring is for planting! Join Washtenaw Parks staff, MSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, and a caring community of volunteers for a morning spent outdoors in nature planting a whole lot of beautiful plants. Enjoy exercise outdoors in community and learn tips & tricks for successful plantings. 

RAIN DATE: the next week, same day of the week, same time.


ABOUT THE LOCATIONS

COUNTY FARM PARK
Your efforts provide critical improvements to a series of esteemed community gardens, including the Geometry in Bloom Perennial Garden, the Sensory Garden, and the Memorial Garden, all located at County Farm Park.

SHARON MILLS COUNTY PARK
Your efforts provide critical improvements to a beautiful historic mill (one of Henry Ford’s original Village Industry sites), located along the River Raisin with scenic hiking trails. 

ADOPT A GARDEN

Are you looking for your own special project? Do you need a more flexible volunteer schedule? Consider adopting one of these wonderful gardens. After reading through the garden descriptions, reach out to to learn more about this opportunity. 

The Perennial Garden at County Farm Park
"Hello, I have almost 6,000 square feet of garden beds filled with over 95 varieties of gorgeous flowering plants! I am located up the hill behind the Platt Pavilion. Due to intrusive weed species (and the occasional promiscuous neighbor) all my beds need regular tending! Please visit me weekly to weed one bed, maybe two? I would greatly appreciate your help in allowing me to show off my kaleidoscope of “Geometry in Bloom” throughout the seasons. Please Adopt Me!”

The Sensory Garden at County Farm Park
“Hi, I am a 300 square foot garden filled with many very interesting plants and flowers for you to explore; through the senses! Colorful flowers, wonderful fragrances, furry leaves, rustling grasses, all located near the Childrens’ Playground and ‘The Discovery Gardens’ of Project Grow. What I need is some tender-loving-care and watering. Adopt Me!”

The Mary Lou Murray (MLM) Memorial Garden at County Farm Park
“Hello, I am a 2600 square foot Memorial Garden located along the western sidewalk of the Recreation Center. I have a variety of colorful perennial and annual flowers. After deadheading spent flowers, and removing my invasive weeds, you could take a break on the memorial bench located in the shade of heritage pines and enjoy seasonal garden changes. Will you adopt me?”

ADOPT A PARK

Gardens at Sharon Mills County Park
“I’m considered the wedding park, and park gardeners put the icing on the cake. I’m a beautiful historic mill located along the River Raisin with scenic hiking trails. All the beautiful flowers volunteers helped plant need to be watered regularly. I rely on rain and the horticulturalists water me most Fridays. However, with hot, dry weather, and additional new plantings, we have found additional Monday watering makes for healthier, beautiful plants and gardens! Mondays are preferable, yet Sunday or Tuesday mornings could work. Please adopt me!”

Gardens at Parker Mill County Park
"I’m a 45 acre park nestled along Fleming Creek and the Huron River often visited by both history buffs and nature lovers. My Native Plant Demonstration Gardens greet visitors to the Pavilion. I’m looking for a volunteer who is interested specifically in native plant gardening to adopt me."

Other park adoption opportunities might be available at Staebler Farm Park, Independence Lake Park, Rolling Hills Park, and Pierce Lake Golf Course. 

Contact us for more information on adopting any of these parks.